National Vascular Disease Awareness Month

September is National Vascular Disease Awareness Month. Together with Lam Vascular & Associates, we aim to spread awareness about vascular disease with a special highlight on vein diseases, the warning signs, and the treatment options available.

Vein diseases can lead to complications if they aren’t treated. Some will require urgent treatment such as deep vein thrombosis while others slowly worsen over time. Regardless of urgency, any condition impacting the functions and overall health of arteries and veins should be taken seriously.

With varicose veins alone, about 25 million people in the United States are afflicted with more than 6 million suffering from severe venous disease. Chronic venous disease (CVD) and associated chronic venous ulcers have a poor prognosis impeding the capacity to be involved in occupational and social activities resulting in diminished quality of life. There are approximately 2 million workdays lost in a year due to venous ulcer-related disabilities and more than 12% of the workforce with venous conditions retire prematurely as a result. (Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

Through vascular care clinics like ours at Lam Vascular & Associates, we focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. Arteries carry the oxygenated blood from the heart to the peripheries while veins carry the deoxygenated blood back to the heart for re-oxygenation. Oxygen and other nutrients carried by the blood are essential in organ functions and overall health.

As soon as you spot the onset of signs of vascular diseases, have yourself or your loved ones checked. There is no need to wait until the condition is severe before reaching out for treatment. This month is an opportunity to revisit your vascular health and risk factors, start with early treatment, and avoid more serious complications of untreated venous diseases.

Now, for a vein health check, have you noticed any changes in your legs that don’t go away with time or recur but you are unsure if it is related to a vascular disease?

1. Do you have any palpable lumpy or twisted veins?
2. Do your legs ache or feel heavy, especially at the end of the day?
3. Do you feel any numbness or tingling in your toes, feet, or legs?
4. Do you sometimes feel your legs are restless?
5. Are there any areas of swelling, tenderness, or warmth?

It is also important to be aware of the predisposing and precipitating factors to better prepare for these conditions. Are you at risk?

1. This is one of the most common risk factors often leading to complications.
2. High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
3. Heart diseases such as coronary artery disease.
4. Current or past smoker.
5. Family history of heart or vascular disease.
6. Being overweight with a body mass index over 30.
7. Sedentary lifestyle.
8. 70+ age but 50+ age is also high risk if smoking or with diabetes. The risk of peripheral vascular diseases increases dramatically with age.

If you answered yes to any one of the questions from both categories above, it is high time you get a leg arterial and venous workup.

These issues can be managed conservatively with lifestyle adjustments as well as medical interventions based on their stage. Exercise, elevation, compression stockings, and medications can do wonders for veins. However, some vascular issues require more aggressive treatment targeted to restore the health and functionality of arteries and veins. Specific treatment plans will depend on the severity of the condition and existing risk factors. At Lam Vascular & Associates, we evaluate, diagnose, and treat according to your needs.

Services offered:

1. Diagnostic testing including Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) and Doppler Testing
2. In-office procedures:

• Angioplasty and Stenting
• Laser Atherectomy
• Radiofrequency Ablation of Saphenous Veins
• Sclerotherapy
• High Ligation and Stripping of Varicose Veins
• Phlebectomy

3. Compression stockings
4. Wound care

Common arterial and vascular complications include arterial and venous ulcers which if not treated and associated with certain precipitating conditions, can eventually lead to amputation. Head on over to our featured services and treatments for more in-depth information on wounds and wound care.

We celebrate National Vascular Disease Awareness Month this September by spreading awareness, prevention, identifying signs and symptoms, getting diagnosed early, and treatments available to you.

Author

Jenna Wishnew Dr Wishnew is a Board Certified General Surgeon practicing in the North Texas area She specializes in general surgery, gastroparesis, wound care, vein concerns and robotic surgery.